How in this crazy year in the NFL, the top 4 teams remain
Don't worry, I was fooled too. I figured that this would be the year in the NFL where the Chiefs and Redskins would play in the Super Bowl, and we would all decide to pretend it never happened. I just thought that this year was too strange, too wild, too... unpredictable. But yet, amongst the injuries, poor calls by the referees and questionable play by all 32 teams, the top 4 teams remain in the hunt for the Lombardi Trophy.
In the AFC, it's yet another Tom Brady - Peyton Manning matchup, with Brady and the Patriots travelling to Denver to face Manning and Broncos. New England is getting healthier on the offensive side of the ball with the additions of Julian Edelman and Sebastian Vollmer, but suffered several injuries on defence last week in their playoff win over Kansas City, with linebackers Jamie Collins and Jerod Mayo going down, as well as their top pass rusher Chandler Jones, who was unable to finish the game against the Chiefs. The severity of Jones' and Collins' injuries are unknown, but Jerod Mayo was placed on the injured reserve - ending his season early for the 3rd year in a row.
The Broncos also suffered a crucial injury on defence last week, as cornerback Chris Harris Jr. suffered an arm injury and will be forced to play limited snaps this week against New England. Look for Tom Brady to target Denver's 3rd string cornerback Bradley Roby often if Harris Jr. is unable to play consistent snaps. This has all the makings of a defensive, low scoring game, which I predict the Patriots will win by 6 points. Final Score Prediction: New England 27 - Denver 21
Meanwhile, in the NFC, it's a matchup between the two highest scoring offences in league as well as two top 10 defences. Carolina and Arizona have been heads and shoulders above the rest of the NFC all year, and it's only fitting that they get to battle it out for the right to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl.
Both teams had leads in the 2nd half last week, and both had trouble finishing the game strong. Carolina went ahead of Seattle 31-0 at halftime, and ended up winning 31-24. Their offence looked disorganized and unmotivated in the 2nd half against the Seahawks, and will need to deliver a much more consistent effort if they want to make the Super Bowl.
For Arizona, they were the victims of the 2nd Aaron Rodgers Hail Mary of the season. With a 7 point lead and 2 minutes left, the Cardinals were unable to stop Rodgers and the Packers on 4th down and 20 from the Packers 5 yard line, and again with 5 seconds left with the Packers on the Cardinals 45 yard line. On both plays Rodgers was able to extend the play with his legs before finding receivers deep down field. On the Hail Mary, receiver Jeff Janis jumped in between two Cardinals defenders to make the catch and save the Packers season - for the time being.
Thankfully for Arizona, in overtime they were led by their franchise wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald who put the team on his back and scored the game winning touchdown. They played a decent game overall, but they will need to be much better next week when they travel to Carolina and face the Panthers. This will be a back and forth game from the get go, and it will be the team who's defence plays the best that will win. Final Score Prediction: Carolina 31 - Arizona 28
This year has been nothing short of insane. It's been plagued by injuries, poor officiating and bad play. But through all of that, the top 4 teams remain. It's been wild and wacky, but it's still led us here. Championship Sunday, with the 4 best teams left. Buckle up.
- Cameron
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